18/12/2013

Six Years 8 Months For Peru Smuggling Accused

Michaella McCollum and Melissa Reid have been given jail terms of six years and eight months for drug smiggling in Peru.

McCollum, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, and Reid, from Galsgow, were caught at Lima airport trying to board a flight to Spain carrying 11.5kg of cocaine in the baggage.

The two women, both aged 20, had initially denied the charges claiming to have been coerced, but subsequently pleaded guilty in the hopes of securing a reduced sentence.

They have been sentenced to the minimum term allowable and that time will be deducted as they have been in custody since their arrest.

It is understood that the they will serve at least two years in a Peruvian prison before they could be considered for parole or possible extradition.

(MH/IT)

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